A tragic boating accident in New York Harbor claimed the lives of two people, including an infant, on Saturday night when a vessel carrying 14 passengers capsized near Liberty Island.
According to NYPD sources speaking to TMZ.com, the incident occurred off the coast of Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands. All 14 individuals aboard were thrown into the choppy waters when the boat suddenly overturned.
Emergency responders from NYPD Aviation and Harbor Units, along with a scuba diving team, arrived on scene after receiving reports of an overturned vessel. Rescue crews pulled a 27-year-old woman and a 5-month-old girl from the bay in critical condition. Both were transported to a Brooklyn hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
The remaining 12 passengers were successfully rescued from the water and taken to a local hospital. All 12 survivors sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to law enforcement sources.
The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation. NYPD officials have not yet determined what led to the vessel overturning in the harbor waters.
The incident marks a devastating tragedy in one of New York City's most iconic locations, where millions of tourists visit annually to view the historic monument. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boat's sudden overturning continues.